Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025If you’re seeking help for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Minneapolis, you’re in the right place. Explore nearby therapists, treatment options, and support resources to manage symptoms and find relief. We make it easier to connect with trusted OCD care in your Minneapolis community.
Psychologist
Remote only
Michelle Litwer is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 8 years. They treat OCD, Trauma, Dependent Personality.
My main objective is to help clients manage their emotions, make decisions that are line with their values, and to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.
Psychotherapist, Psychologist
255 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Hider Shaaban is a Psychotherapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They treat OCD, Women's Issues, Racial/Cultural Oppression or Trauma.
Your emotional wellbeing is our priority. We will work together to not just get you unstuck, but help you thrive and flourish.
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
239 Cleveland Avenue North, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104
The College Therapy Center is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Saint Paul, Minnesota and has been in practice for 10 years. They treat OCD, Gender Identity, Infidelity.
Specializing in college mental health services for students attending Macalester, St. Thomas, Augsburg, Concordia, Hamline, and the U of MN.
Neuropsychologist, Psychologist
6845 Elm Street, Mclean, Virginia 22101
Dr. Debra Brosius is a Neuropsychologist in Mclean, Virginia and has been in practice for 21 years. They treat OCD, Learning Disorder, Work/Life Balance.
With over 20 years of expereince, Dr. Brosius welcomes you to her practice and specializes in working with neurodiverse individuals.
Psychotherapist, Psychologist
Remote only
Joel Harris is a Psychotherapist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 23 years. They treat OCD, Insomnia, Racial Identity.
I am a licensed psychologist with openings this week for virtual therapy. I am also registered with PSYPACT and can see people in over 40 states.
Sport Psychologist
Remote only
Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC is a Sport Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 30 years. They treat OCD, Relationship Violence/Stalking/Harassment, Learning Disorder.
Licensed Clinical Sport Psychologist — services for mental health care & sport performance enhancement
OCD often feels like sticky worries that won’t let go and urges to do things—like checking, counting, cleaning, or arranging—to feel safe or certain. These patterns can grow from a mix of biology and learning: a sensitive alarm system in the brain paired with habits that temporarily reduce anxiety. Early experiences matter too; homes with high criticism, overprotection, chaos, or trauma can teach a child that mistakes are dangerous and uncertainty must be avoided. Attachment patterns shape coping: when reassurance was scarce or unpredictable, the mind may chase certainty through rituals or mental review. None of this is a personal flaw—it is a human nervous system adapting to stress and trying to protect you.
OCD can show up in childhood as excessive rituals that go beyond typical routines, in adolescence as intrusive thoughts about harm, health, or morality, and in adulthood as time-consuming checking, cleaning, or mental rumination. Stressors often turn the volume up: school demands in Minneapolis classrooms, transitions at the U, relationship conflicts, pregnancy and parenting, or performance pressure at work downtown. Family dynamics can unintentionally feed symptoms through constant reassurance or criticism, while isolation or stigma can make people hide their struggles. Life events—moves, loss, illness, financial strain, even winter illness seasons—can spike fears of contamination or responsibility. With understanding, skills, and support, people in Minneapolis and beyond can learn to reduce OCD’s grip and build lives that reflect their values, not their fears.
Living with OCD can feel like your mind keeps nudging you with “what if” thoughts even during everyday Minneapolis routines—locking the door before catching the bus, or rereading a text to a friend on the light rail. Relationships and communication may take extra effort when you ask for reassurance or need more time to feel comfortable, which can be confusing to partners or friends but comes from a real wish to care and be careful. Self-esteem can dip when mental loops or repetitive actions take up time, especially when you compare yourself to others who seem to breeze through a Target run or a workplace meeting downtown. Parenting may mean building in buffers—like leaving early for school drop-off near the lakes so you can double-check backpacks or stove knobs—while still showing your kids warmth, humor, and flexibility where you can. Community life can be both supportive and tricky: neighborhood gatherings, stadium security lines, or crowded farmers markets may bring extra mental steps, and it’s okay to move at a pace that feels safe for you.
- Pausing a conversation to mentally review what you said, worrying you sounded rude despite “Minnesota nice.”
- Rechecking a calendar invite three times before a community board meeting.
- Skipping a backyard gathering after a Twins game because your mind is stuck on a contamination worry.
- Asking your partner to confirm the garage door is closed during a snow emergency, then feeling guilty for asking again.
OCD can show up in ways that feel confusing or exhausting, but you’re not alone—these patterns are common and treatable. Notice how often these signs appear, how much time they take, and whether they interfere with school, work, relationships, or daily life in Minneapolis.
- Intrusive, distressing thoughts (e.g., fears of contamination, harm, or imperfection) that feel unwanted and hard to dismiss
- Repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (washing, checking, counting, re-reading, seeking reassurance) done to relieve anxiety, often taking an hour or more daily
- Strong need for certainty or “just right” feelings, leading to avoidance of triggers like public transit (METRO), busy campuses, or crowded Minneapolis events
- Marked anxiety, guilt, or shame when unable to perform rituals; irritability or perfectionism that strains school/work performance and relationships
- Physical signs of compulsions (chapped hands from washing, fatigue from late-night checking, restlessness), and difficulty starting or completing tasks
- In children/teens: tantrums or shutdowns when routines are disrupted, excessive reassurance-seeking from caregivers/teachers, slowed homework due to redoing, and school avoidance
- Impact on daily functioning: running late for shifts/classes, avoiding shared spaces (gyms, cafes, lakeside areas), or needing family/roommates to participate in rituals
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has multiple roots—biological, psychological, social, and relational—that influence each other in complex ways; understanding this mix helps reduce stigma and reminds us that OCD is multifactorial, treatable, and not a personal failure. In Minneapolis, factors like long winters, urban stressors, and access to specialty care can shape how symptoms show up and how people find help.
- Biological: family history/genetics; brain circuitry and serotonin differences
- Psychological: perfectionism/intolerance of uncertainty; learned rituals that reduce anxiety in the short term
- Environmental/Social: chronic stress, seasonal mood shifts during Minneapolis winters; major life changes, academic/work pressures
- Relational: family accommodation of rituals; relationship conflict or loss increasing reassurance-seeking
- Cultural/Access to Care: stigma delaying help-seeking; availability of local resources (e.g., University of Minnesota clinics, Hennepin Healthcare, Twin Cities support groups)
Evidence-based care for OCD often includes exposure and response prevention (ERP), a specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches you to face fears while resisting compulsions. Many people also benefit from medications like SSRIs or clomipramine, sometimes combined with therapy for stronger effects. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness-based strategies, and skills for distress tolerance, self-compassion, and cognitive restructuring can reduce shame and improve daily functioning. Family-based approaches can decrease “accommodation” and improve communication, while couples or attachment-informed therapy can address relationship patterns and developmental wounds that OCD may amplify. Together, these options build tools to manage symptoms, repair trust, and support long-term growth.
In Minneapolis, community support includes peer-led groups through NAMI Minnesota and OCD-focused groups available via the International OCD Foundation’s affiliates and online meetings. Local health systems—such as M Health Fairview, Hennepin Healthcare, Allina, PrairieCare, and Rogers Behavioral Health—offer outpatient therapy, intensive programs, and family counseling. Low-cost or drop-in options like the Walk-In Counseling Center and community mental health clinics can help with access, and many organizations provide culturally responsive services. Wellness resources—rec centers, parks programs, libraries, and university groups—add stress-reduction classes, movement groups, and mindfulness sessions. MiResource can help you search for care that fits your life by filtering for insurance coverage, telehealth availability, location, languages, sliding-scale fees, and provider specialties.
Minneapolis has several trusted places for OCD support. OCD Twin Cities (the local IOCDF affiliate) offers education and peer-led groups across the Twin Cities and can help you find therapists trained in ERP (exposure and response prevention). Washburn Center for Children near Glenwood Ave. provides anxiety/OCD-focused therapy for kids and teens, plus parent coaching and school-based partnerships. Community-University Health Care Center (CUHCC) in the Phillips/Whittier area offers mental health care with interpreters and sliding-fee options; they’re reachable by major bus lines and close to the METRO Blue Line. NAMI Minnesota hosts free family and parent support circles (virtual and in-person), with groups that address anxiety and OCD; they regularly meet in Minneapolis and are easy to access by transit.
For specialized clinical care, Hennepin Healthcare (downtown) has outpatient psychiatry and an emergency department familiar with OCD-related crises. M Health Fairview’s University of Minnesota Medical Center on the East and West Bank provide child, adolescent, and adult anxiety/OCD services; the Green Line light rail stops at East Bank and West Bank, and most buildings are ADA-accessible. Youth can also connect through Minneapolis Public Schools’ School Based Clinics (at Edison, Henry, Roosevelt, South, Southwest, and Washburn High Schools) for counseling, care coordination, and referrals without leaving campus. Community resources like The Family Partnership and Walk-In Counseling Center offer low-cost or free counseling that can help with anxiety and OCD symptoms while you find longer-term care.
If you need help now, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 for immediate safety concerns. Emergency departments at Hennepin Healthcare (downtown), M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center (East/West Bank), and Children’s Minnesota–Minneapolis (Phillips) are open 24/7. Most sites are reachable via METRO light rail (Blue or Green Line) and frequent bus routes; if transportation is a barrier, ask about telehealth or bus fare assistance when you call to schedule. You are not alone, and support is available close to home.
Seek immediate help if intrusive thoughts feel uncontrollable, you cannot perform daily tasks, compulsions put you or others at risk, or you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department at Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC), Abbott Northwestern Hospital, or the University of Minnesota Medical Center. For 24/7 support, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). In Minneapolis, contact Hennepin County COPE adult mobile crisis at 612-596-1223 (Children’s Crisis: 612-348-2233), or ask for the Minneapolis Behavioral Crisis Response team by calling 911 and requesting a mental health response.
- Freedom from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Jonathan Grayson, PhD (Berkley): A clear, evidence-based guide to Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with practical step-by-step plans. Frequently recommended by Twin Cities ERP therapists and available through Hennepin County Library.
- The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Bruce M. Hyman, PhD, and Cherry Pedrick, RN (New Harbinger): A structured workbook for adults using CBT/ERP exercises you can do between sessions. Often paired with therapy at University of Minnesota and Allina/HealthPartners clinics.
- Talking Back to OCD by John S. March, MD, with Christine M. Benton (HarperCollins): Parent-friendly scripts and tools to coach kids through OCD rituals and fears. Helpful for Minneapolis families coordinating with school counselors in Minneapolis Public Schools.
- Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Tamar E. Chansky, PhD (Harmony): Practical strategies for parents to reduce accommodation and build kids’ coping skills. Easy to use alongside local resources like Children’s Minnesota and the OCD Twin Cities (IOCDF affiliate) support network.
- The Man Who Couldn’t Stop: OCD and the True Story of a Life Lost in Thought by David Adam (Farrar, Straus and Giroux): A candid memoir blending personal story with science, reducing stigma and explaining why OCD feels so compelling. Widely stocked in Minneapolis at Magers & Quinn and public libraries.
- When a Family Member Has OCD: Mindfulness and CBT Strategies to Help by Jon Hershfield, MFT (New Harbinger): Concrete ways partners, parents, and roommates can support recovery without feeding compulsions. Good fit for households in shared living common across Minneapolis neighborhoods.
Taking your first step can be simple: pause to reflect on what you need right now—your goals, preferences, and any barriers. Talk with someone you trust to help clarify what matters most and to feel supported in the process. Then explore MiResource’s directory to find a therapist in Minneapolis who fits your needs, whether that’s specialty, cultural background, availability, or cost. Recovery and growth are possible, and getting professional support can be a life-changing part of your path forward.
Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.
